Okay, picture this: You’ve got a tree that needs to be taken down. Easy, right? Well, usually it is. The tree removal pros come, and off goes the tree.
But guess what? In some states, there are rules you need to know. Hold on tight; we’re providing a simple overview of tree removal regulations.
Now, hold up – before we get serious, let’s talk about utility companies. They’re all about those power lines. If your tree’s shorter than 25 feet, keeping it at least 20 feet away from those lines is best. If not, they might swoop in and trim or remove it. So, plant smart and keep your tree away from the power line drama.
Alright, let’s jump into the United States tree removal laws.
If you’re looking for a specific State you can use the table of contents to the right to jump directly to it.
Disclaimer: Always double check your local regulations!
Timber Tree and Stump provides professional tree and landscape removal.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Need A Tree Removed?
Alabama
In Birmingham, it’s your tree, your rules. You can take down trees on your private property without the city ending up in your business. There is no need for permits, and the city won’t barge in to remove your tree either.
Alaska
Juneau’s relaxed – no requirements, no permits. But Anchorage has a game plan. If trees are dead, dangerous, or just in the wrong spot, they might get the boot from the city.
If you’re planning to plant trees in Anchorage, keep them far from sidewalks to avoid a city showdown.
Arizona
Phoenix doesn’t require a permit for tree removal. But they’ve got a rule – no big trees near intersections blocking signs, signals, or pedestrians. They’ll give you a heads-up to fix it before they take action.
Arkansas
Little Rock is full of trees, so no permit is needed to say goodbye to a tree on your property.
California
Sacramento’s got a thing for “heritage trees” and oaks. If your tree falls into those categories, you might need a permit to say farewell. Oakland has a similar deal with “protected” trees. Over in San Jose, bigger trees might need a permit. Fresno’s got some permit business going on, while Los Angeles says goodbye to oak trees without permits.
Colorado
In Denver, if a tree from public land crosses onto your property, you need a permit to give it the boot. No permit means a penalty from the city.
Connecticut
Hartford keeps it chill – no permits for private property tree removal. You handle the hazards or dead trees on your land. Plus, no tree species are under lockdown here.
Delaware
Dover promotes tree growth but understands that sometimes, trees have to go. You can remove them when needed – no special permits are required.
Florida
Florida’s got some rules in place! Tallahassee might need a permit for hefty trees with diameters bigger than 36 inches. Over in sunny Miami, are you removing over a quarter of your trees? You’re going to need a permit to make that snip. And Jacksonville? Trees over four feet tall or with a beefy circumference must get that permit before they say goodbye.
Georgia
If you’re thinking of giving a tree the boot in Atlanta, hold up and check the city rulebook. You’ll need a permit if your hardwood tree has a six-inch diameter or more. The permit’s a must for those chunky pine trees with a 12-inch diameter. Atlanta’s all about tree protection and ensuring those leafy pals stick around.
Hawaii
Honolulu’s got a relaxed rule – no need to give a heads-up before you cut a tree down. But watch out, they have something called “street trees regulations.” If your tree’s hanging over the street, they might give it a trim without asking.
Idaho
Boise’s pretty laid-back. There are no fancy rules about tree removal – except for those elm trees. They need a permit to go. If a tree’s dying or posing a hazard, it’s up to the property owner to handle the removal. Watch out for those front yard trees – they might belong to the city.
Need a tree removed in Idaho? Give us a call!
Illinois
Chicago’s got some strict rules. If you want a tree gone from your property, you’ll need a permit from the Bureau of Forestry. Remember insurance, just in case things get messy. And with emerald ash borer on the scene, infected ash trees need extra approval. Plus, if you’re in an Asian Long-Horned Beetle quarantine zone, there’s more paperwork coming your way.
Indiana
In Indiana, tree ownership is all about trunk location. The one with the trunk on their property is responsible for care or removal. So, if those branches stretch into your neighbor’s yard, they can’t just snip them off. Indianapolis keeps it simple – no permits or rules for tree removal on private property.
Iowa
Des Moines puts tree care in the hands of property owners. Dead or dangerous trees near sidewalks or streets? You’re on the hook to make sure they’re safe. There are no special species rules here – it’s all about maintaining your leafy pals.
Kansas
Kansas says cities need proof of infection before removing a tree on private land. Topeka, Kansas City, and Wichita are all chill – no permits or special rules for tree removal in these cities.
Kentucky
In Frankfort, tree duty falls on property owners. For street and public right-of-way trees, some responsibility also falls on private property owners. Grab a permit from the City Arborist if you’re chopping one down.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s got some tree protection laws in place. Cypress trees near state-owned water bottoms can’t be cut without a permit. And if you’re near sea level, no tree removal – even on private property. Baton Rouge needs a permit for clearing over an acre.
Maine
Augusta’s got no special permits for private property tree removal. Trees need to be a certain size by the shoreland before they can be removed. Are you clearing around ponds and rivers? Leave a buffer strip to keep the trees happy.
Maryland
Maryland’s all about tree protection. Roadside trees are off-limits unless they’re hazardous or diseased. Big tree removal? Permits are a must. The Seed Tree Law wants you to replace what you remove.
Baltimore shares tree care with homeowners – roadside trees on private property need a permit to go.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts takes tree ownership seriously – an ancient law from 1698 says if you mess with someone else’s tree, you pay triple the price. Cutting someone else’s tree can lead to hefty fines.
In Boston, you can ask for public tree removal, but no special permits are needed for private property tree removal.
Michigan
Emerald ash borer hit Michigan hard. To stop the spread, diseased ash trees on private land must go to special disposal sites.
Lansing doesn’t demand permits or special rules for tree removal on private land.
Minnesota
Minneapolis is strict about tree removal. If you want a tree gone, you need a permit from the Forestry Division. They can also remove hazardous trees from private property to protect the city.
Minnesota has state rules, too, focusing on safety and removing risky trees.
Mississippi
Jackson’s hands-off – no permits needed for private property tree removal. The city can’t step in, so tree care is up to the owner.
Missouri
St. Louis makes tree care a property owner’s job. The Director of Forestry can check private property for hazardous trees. They can be removed to keep the public safe if they’re risky.
Montana
Billings keeps it simple, too – no unique situations or rules for taking down trees on private property.
Nebraska
Lincoln doesn’t have extra tree removal rules, either. If a tree overhangs a street but is on private land, the owner is responsible for its care.
Nevada
Nevada’s trees are growing, and Carson City is all about boosting shade with tree programs. But they don’t demand permits for tree removal. You’re in charge of your yard trees, and officials won’t step in to remove them.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire looks out for shoreland trees. Within 50 feet of the shore, rules apply. From 50 to 150 feet, different rules kick in. Beyond 150 feet, you’re free to remove trees. No special permits or regulations exist for private property tree removal in Concord.
New Jersey
New Jersey’s getting tree-friendly with ordinances that protect private property trees. Removing trees might need a permit, but some townships might say no. After notifying the owner, Trenton can remove private property trees if they’re a hazard to others.
New Mexico
New Mexico has a good-sized tree population, so no special rules exist for private property tree removal. Albuquerque and Santa Fe have no extra rules, either. You’re in charge – hazards and dying trees near sidewalks are your responsibility.
New York
New York’s got no tree removal rules statewide, but communities might. Some community developments might require permits for tree removal, and they could say no if it messes up the community look.
Albany’s got specific rules, though. Big trees need permits to be removed, and city officials might step in if a tree’s a threat. Keep an eye out for specific tree types that can’t be removed.
North Carolina
Raleigh’s got rules – public trees near sidewalks are off-limits, but private ones aren’t. But Urban Foresters can step in for public health and safety. Charlotte’s stricter – you need permits for private property tree removal.
North Dakota
North Dakota’s hands-off with no state laws or rules in Bismarck. But if trees are unsafe, Bismarck’s got special ordinances for that.
Ohio
Ohio’s law is silent on private property tree removal, and big cities like Columbus and Cleveland don’t have rules either.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has no tree removal rules for the state or in Oklahoma City. But pros must cut trees correctly to keep public land and people safe. Certified pros are a requirement in Tulsa, too.
Oregon
Oregon’s state laws don’t mention tree removal, but Salem’s got its own rules. Heritage trees are protected and need permits for removal. Big trees might need Parks Department permits, but talking to the Planning Division is a must. Salem can also step in if trees are sick or risky.
Need a tree removed in Oregon? Give us a call!
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s got rules for trees that overhang onto public spaces or other properties. Owners get a notice; the city can prune or remove it if they don’t fix it in 30 days. But Philly doesn’t regulate tree removal on private property otherwise.
Rhode Island
Providence protects big trees with a zoning ordinance. Permission is needed for trees 32 inches in diameter or more. The City Forester can even step in on private property if trees could hurt others.
South Carolina
South Carolina’s all about protecting grand trees. Columbia’s got a process for removing grand trees. You need permission from the zoning administrator. They consider site topography, tree health, and how new trees will compensate for the site.
South Dakota
Sioux Falls says no permits are needed for private tree removal, but their forestry director can step in if trees are problems to public safety. In other parts of South Dakota, there are few rules about private tree removal.
Tennessee
Tennessee’s state law doesn’t mention private tree removal. But Nashville has a city rule: big trees need permits to be removed on some properties. Tree removal companies need permits, too.
Texas
In Texas, cities can remove trees that affect other trees, even on private properties. Austin needs permits for trees over 60 inches in circumference. Dallas and nearby places don’t need permits for private tree removal.
Utah
Utah protects unique trees called “heritage trees.” Salt Lake City has no special rules for private tree removal, except for heritage trees.
Vermont
In Vermont, “tree wardens” care for trees on public property. They can also step in on private property if there’s a problem. Montpelier’s city tree board can remove private trees if they’re sick or risky, and owners pay for it.
Virginia
Virginia’s state laws don’t have special rules for private tree removal. Richmond doesn’t have any special rules, either. Owners are responsible for getting rid of tree branches after removal because the city won’t do it.
Washington
Washington state doesn’t have rules about trees on private land. In Seattle, you don’t need permits to remove trees at your house. But if the tree is near the sidewalk, it might be different. Some trees near sidewalks need permits to be removed.
Washington, D.C.
In the capital, there are rules for trees near homes. If you want to cut a tree between the sidewalk and the road, you need a permit. Big trees on private land also need a permit. But if you take care of a tree near the road, you might benefit from the Urban Forestry Administration.
West Virginia
West Virginia’s state law doesn’t discuss permits for private tree removal. No special rules exist for special trees or cities taking control of private trees. The same goes for Charleston, the capital. They have no rules about private tree removal.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s state law doesn’t mention private trees being removed. Milwaukee’s rules are only for trees owned by the city, not private homes. So, if you own a tree, it’s your job to take care of it and remove it if it’s dangerous.
Wyoming
Wyoming made a Tree Owner’s Manual to help people understand tree care, including removal. But they don’t talk about permits. Cheyenne, the capital, also has no rules about private tree removal.
Need A Tree Removed?
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